Holiday Gift Box Preview

Hi friends,
Last week you got a peak at one of the polishes included in the 2016 holiday gift box by Little Black Dress Nail Lacquer.  Today you get to see the whole shebang!

The gift set includes one red jelly polish with gold glitters and flakes.  The second polish is a shimmery white crelly with red and green glitter.  The gift set also includes a 15ml cuticle oil, glass nail file, and a four-sided nail buffer.

The gift box will be available on December 1st in the Little Black Dress online store . Use the coupon code for ten percent off holiday gift boxes.  HOLIDAYGIFTBOX16 through January 5th.  The gift boxes are in limited supply.

Another coupon code is currently available in the shop for orders over $35

And here it is.

Ciao Bellas!

Sneak Peak: China Glaze 2016 Seas And Greetings Holiday Collection

Hi cuties,
I am so happy to see that some polish companies are doing something a little different this year for the holidays. Who would have thought of a holiday beach theme collection? China Glaze, that's who.  I think I love the collection simply because its not typical. Who can resist names like Sand in my mistletoes, Let's Shellebrate, Eat Pink Be Merry, Partridge In A Palm Tree, Tis The Sea Sun, Good Tideings  and Twinkle twinkle little starfish. Kudos to you CG.


The collection of 12 polishes releases some time in October, and you'll be able to find them at my favorite beauty shop, Ulta. There's also several mini sets.
Ciao for now!

Photo downloaded from Pinterest

A Little Free-hand Flair

Hi ladies,

I really really really wish I wasn't artistically challenged. If I could, I would paint tiny little murals on my nails.  I would write names, dates and fancy symbols. I would paint the world on each nail using every color known to man.  But, that's still just a dream for me.  Despite my cruel disability (called skillessness), I tried my hand at a manicure using no tape, stamps or vinyls. I think it's not so bad.  Monet, I am not.  Van Gogh, I will never become (I like my ears, both of them). But I can still use my kindergarten artistic skills to create something fun.  You Go Girl!  Hi five!

Ciao Bellas!

Sneak Peak: Dia De Los Muertos by Morgan Taylor

Just in time for Halloween, Morgan Taylor launches their Dia de Los Muertos set.  Dia de Los Muertos translates to Day of the Dead, and is a Mexican holiday to celebrate friends and family members who have died.  The celebration is on October 31st, November 1st, and November 2nd.


Nice color choices for this cute four polish mini set. Pink, black, white and a glow in the dark top coat.  Can't ask for more than that.


Ciao for now!

New Collection by Little Black Dress Nail Lacquer is...Dazzling

Hi Ladies,
I have a terrific new collection to show you by Little Black Dress Nail Lacquer.  The collection is called Dazzlers, a collection of eight super glitter polishes. Perfect for the pretty princess in you. The polishes in the photo above are (from left to right),

Shimmering Silver White
Exciting Gold
Tantalizing Tangerine
Captivating Crimson
Smashing Grape
Alluring Azure
Tranquil Teal
Enticing Emerald

Try them out.
Ciao Bellas!

4th Of July Glitter Glitter Glitter

Hello P&P friends,

Glitter glitter, oh how I love glitter. Red white and blue just wouldn't do.  A simple adjustment and...prefect. Switching out white for silver turned this patriotic mani into a sparkling star spangled banner.



I'm featuring a super dazzling glitter polish by Little Black Dress Nail Lacquers.  I used two coats on my pinky fingers for a bright flash of silver white. I also used it over vinyls on my ring fingers.


Have a happy 4th of July and,
Ciao for now!

O.P.I.-athon: Memorial Day Tribute: Going My Way Or Norway?

Going My Way Or Norway?

Good Memorial Day Morning O.P.I. lovers,
Our O.P.I.-athon will not break because of holiday festivities. No, instead we're honoring the men and women who served our country.  Pools open, and the kiddies are wrapping up the school year soon, but this is the day to remember those who served in the U.S Armed Forces. I live near an army base, and here, we do just that. Which leads us to my contribution to this holiday of observance.

Going My Way Or Norway? is the perfect mannequin hand match for me. I lucked up on it by accident and fell in love immediately.  It's the perfect neutral for showcasing a little patriotism. Did I overdo it a bit? Yup, I did, but if it''s not overdone, then it just wouldn't be me, would it?

Because this short series is to delve into the world of O.P.I., here's a little not-so-well known fact.  O.P.I. is sold in more than 75 countries around he globe. Not so hard to believe, but did you know that they fill about 150,000 nail lacquers each day, about 55 million bottles a year? I'll let you know how they do it when I start working there. They don't know it yet, but they're getting a new hire soon. I just need to put in my two week notice.  Then I'm off to sunny CA.

Until next tme, Ciao for now!

Happy Tuesday - Floral Garden Escape

Good morning ladies,
Do you ever have those days when you see life through rose colored glasses, and all is right with the world? Today is one of those days for me. It's bright and sunny outside, the temperature is all but perfect (not too hot, not too cold), my kids are in school (whew), and I'm contentedly sitting on the platform waiting for my train.  I have my whole day before me and minimum obligations. Work, home, cook, study with my kiddie, and then a little me time. Honestly, today, I won't be painting my nails. I'll call and talk to family members who live far away (Hi Daddy!), and catch up on a little TV.  I watched Minority Report recently (the TV program, not the movie) and it seemed like a winner, so it might make my limited list of programs to watch.  Maybe it will inspire me to create interesting nail art.  I hope so.

Today's manicure happens to coincide with my mood. Happy.

Ciao for now!

Found my camera!!! ...oh, and A Cutesy Manicure

Hi friends,
I found my camera!  well my son did. <Thanks sweetie.>  I'm so relieved.  I had been using my cell phone camera, which I'm not very thrilled with.  It's simply not a Samsung. I don't have anything against LG, Windows, or that fruit one, um...blueberry?  No, it's blackberry. Right.  And I have nothing against  iphones, they're great. My son has Apple everything (Hubby was a certified appleholic.)  It's just that I'm a Samsung Girl who unfortunately got suckered into getting an LG, and who yearns desperately for another Samsung. Note 6! please.

Back to the subject, I (rather my son), found my camera and I'm happy again.
Now, on to the manicure.

I was in quite a happy mood (from being reunited with my Canon)  and I wanted to do something I ordinarily would't do. Polka dots. After two coats of red, I decided, , "what the heck" I pulled out a dotting tool and got to work. Last, I found a cutesy bow and stamped it on.

Now, me and Canon are gong to celebrate.
Ciao Bellas!

Sneak Peak: Morgan Taylor - A Very Nauti-cal Girl

Hello friends,
Are you ready for the summer?  Morgan Taylor is.
I have a traditional summer set for you today. But, alas, no manicure to show. Not because I haven't polished my nails, but because my camera has disappeared. Yup, my trusty friend grew legs and walked right out the door.  I hope she comes home soon. In the mean time, I can catch you guys up on a few new polishes. Morgan Taylor's new summery set, A Very Nauti-cal Girl, includes four colors that are perfect for July. The 4th of July to be specific.

All four colors appear to be cream finishes. Wish Upon a Star is a vibrant classic red, Girls Love Buoys, my favorite, is a beautiful rich magenta.  Catch My Drift is a deep cobalt blue, and My Yacht, My Rules! is described as "a sweet white".  Ok, they look good to me.

The collection includes two duo packs with Girls Love Buoys or Catch My Drift and it's coordinating Gelish mate.  Also, for those who don't want to commit to the full size set, there is a mini 4-pack.

If you get your hands on one or more of these babies, I'd love to hear your thoughts on them.
Until next time, Ciao Bellas!

My Borgia Finale

Hello friends,
Today I have the last of my Borgia inspired manicures. My fascination with the family and the era led me to read one of the several books written about the family. When I said in my first post that the Showtime TV series was loosely based on the Borgia family, I didn't realize how loose. Let's just say that the names match up, but not much else. Not only does the show grossly distort what's truly known about the Borgias, but most of what is actually known is speculative at best. So, my curiosity is now sated, my obsession is over, but although I finished the book, I haven't finished watching the series. What will I watch after the Borgias?  The Tudors of course! Just kidding. I'm going to leave the 15th century in the 15th century.

Till next time, ciao Bellas!

A Winter Wonderland

Welcome to my little winter wonderland!
There's no snow to be found where I live, so I'm creating my own snowy world. When I lived in Ohio, it was a guarantee that when we woke up Christmas morning and looked out the window (after ripping open gifts) we'd see a beautiful wintery snowbound world. It was truly beautiful. The crispy white snow on our front lawn was almost high enough for us kids to get lost in. And somehow, there were always deer tracks. Or, maybe it was just a neighbor's dog. Ahhh, those were the good ol' days. Back then, schools never closed no matter how many feet of snow fell overnight. Or so it seemed. Now, I live further south and I'm not promised snow until January or February, and even then, it's just enough to be annoying, cold, wet, and dangerously icy. An inch or two and the whole city shuts down. At least I get a few days away from the office.

This polish is actually pale blue, but shows up white underneath a cacophony of multi-glitter and stamped white snowflakes. Maybe I should duplicate this, (sans the snowflakes) to bring in the New Year. Very sparklingly appropriate. I just need to find a party. But, I'm getting ahead of myself. For now, I'll just enjoy my ten tiny winter wonderlands.

How's the weather in your town? Snow, no snow, blistering heat wave?
Ciao for now.

Decorator Dreams: A Blue Chair

Hi lovelies,
Today I have another decorator's dream manicure. I have always wanted to reupholster a chair. I mean really reupholster a chair, not just popping off the seat of a dining chair and staple gunning a fabric over it. I've done that a few times. Since I don't have the time to take on a bigger upholstery project, a girl can dream right? I found a few tutorials on Pinterest, and came across a lovely chair that piqued my interest.

When I spotted this reupholstered chair, I thought, "Hmmm, time for a manicure!" I dug into my arsenal and found three polishes that were perfectly suited for the job.

Here's what I used.



Boho Blues by China Glaze, Jolie by Zoya, and Light Gray by MdU

I'm still dreaming of furniture, so I might be inspired just one more time. We'll see. Lately, I feel like a soccer mom, no, a basketball Mom. Now, my little one wants to play too, so I signed him up last night.  I hope this change in my schedule doesn't affect my regular posting. I will still try for three days a week.
Ciao for now.

Inspired By...Onesies?

I've had my eye on these adorable little onesies for a long time, but I never had a reason to buy them until a couple of friends had twin baby girls.  I was so happy to find out that the twins were going to be girls because the couple already has two boys. Secretly I thought, "Finally! I get to buy those cute onsesies!"  I rushed out immediately to buy them and right away inspiration hit me.

Perfect manicure opportunity!

I pulled out white and black polishes and hunted through my stash of stamping plates for a design similar to the pattern on the onesies.

I started with a black background using SinfulColors Black On Black to create a black trim like on the onesies.    Then, using China Glazes White On White I filled in the middle part of the nail. Hmm, Black On Black and White On White...cute names perfectly coordinated for this manicure  Do you think China Glaze and SinfulColors got together and decided to collaborate on the names?  Probably not, but still it's cute.

I trimmed the nail edge with black and stamped the design using Konad Black and a GoGo Only stamping plate I found on EBay.

This is how it turned out

I hope you like it.
Do you have a favorite pattern you want to see in a nail art?  If you do, send me a photo and I'll see what I come up with.
Ciao for now.